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Things Sure Look Different Around Here!

August 17, 2009

Life is like a basket of apricots...you never know what you are going to get.

For the past year, I felt as though I kept being handed the same rotten box of apricots when I signed up with a designer to have my blog redesigned and kept being shuffled from promises to promises and nothing to show for them. Oh yes, a larger hole in my pocket book, that's about it.

But then, thanks to the magic of Twitter and my good friend Garrett showing a fresh new and attractive template, I found Ellie. And I felt like the sun was finally shining again. Professional, smart, witty and hard working, Ellie operates Rainy Day Templates like a Master chef his/her kitchen. She started working on my design shortly after our initial contact and working together via email we had this site redesigned and re-outfitted in three days. Three days! And look how purty she made it look!

All kudos go to her because beside choosing a design and adjusting a few things here and there. I just sat on the other end of her screen going "can we do that instead?" "can you move this up?" "can you expand this?" And trust me, I hate to ask. Love the color scheme she picked instead of the original one. Her instincts are right on. A pro. I had tweaked my previous template beyond recognition, but could never get exactly where I wanted on my own. I wish I could personally deliver some of the gluten free apricot financiers I made over the weekend (recipes and pictures soon!) to thank her.

Humor me for a second to point out really cool features:The welcome bar on the right hand side will be used to highlight everything and anything pertaining to food and blogging that I may come across. Recipes, bloggers, articles, events, etc...And look at those pretty social buttons! From Google to Twitter...Woot!! Oh! and that search bar...believe it or not *I* find it useful when I write a post and try to reference another!!One very cool detail she added was the bakers' twine detail around the header and at the bottom of every post. I know, it's a girl thing, but it's nice an subtle. Love it!

It's always a bit nerve wracking to change layouts but I hope you like the space and find it as cozy as I do. Thanks for indulging me in this shout out to her design and work. After one year of rotten apricots, it feels special.

Ellie received some bad news over the weekend and I wish to send her a special hug. This girl is a gem, both personally and professionally.

I've been trying to change mine for weeks or even months and sometimes I feel my dream will never come true. Your post has give me hope, maybe one day I'll get the perfect apricot too. ;-)

I tried with some american designers but language can be a serious handicap when your english is as bad as mine, so this time I'm working with a great spanish designer and things are turning out much better.

hye Helen,just stumble upon your blog while flickrhopping!and oh my this is spectacular!i love all of your food photo and you inspired me to actually bake and photograph it!*it is too shameful to be put online*just wanted to drop and say hi since you have a new entry,

and this theme is like perfection to this blog, the header looks so sweet,*cause it is choc!*congrats on finding your suitable theme!

lastly, thanks for inspiring me, haha, that sound so cheesy,have a nice day!

This is wonderful Helen. Your photo on the side bar makes me feel as if you are talking straight fromm the screen and the photos in the post without any borders looks like a room filled with a cozy warm carpet. Its wonderful :)

Hi Helen, I have just started blogging and am totally blown away by your blog. Love your new look, it is serene,stylish and absolutely fabulous. I love to linger over your photo spreads- they are just so delectable!

Woa!! Super le nouveau blog! Felicitation ma petite Helene. Believe it or not but i also got screwed by Delicious Design in the past (old blog) and i never realized there was other people in the same situation, until now. Unbelievable.

Your blog is just lovely! I always like coming here as it has such a wonderful, peaceful ambience. Thankyou for the heads-up on the first company. I was getting ready to purchase one of their pre-made templates for my daughter's little baking blog and to have them design one for me at some point. I appreciate the notification and I am sorry you had such a horrid experience. It certainly looks wonderful now!

The new site looks great -- as soon as the page loaded I was scrolling down to find out more about it. Your site has always been lovely, but this new template is a really great backdrop for your beautiful photographs and lovely recipes.

I've been so busy and have not had a chance to catch up with all the truly wonderful things you've been doing lately. I LOVE your new design and layout. It's clean and elegant and beautiful, just as the one before it! So fantastic when to meet an artist that understands what you are looking for. The picture of you is really lovely. Cheers!